This month there will be municipal elections in Alberta (October 18), Ontario (October 25), and Manitoba (October 27). There will also be municipal elections in Prince Edward Island on November 1.
A VOTE FOR TRADE JUSTICE, A VOTE FOR BLUE COMMUNITIES
Two important issues facing communities this year are the effect of recent international trade agreements on municipal autonomy and the need for major reinvestment in public water systems. The Council of Canadians has prepared materials that can be shared with municipal candidates across Canada, as well as a few questions to ask those candidates during mayoral or councillor debates. For those resources, please go to http://canadians.org/action/2010/Municipal-Elections.html.
QUESTIONS TO CANDIDATES
The Guelph chapter has sent the trade justice and Blue Communities questions to all candidates in their city and will publish their responses. More on that at http://coc-guelph.ca/election2010.html.
VEOLIA IN WINNIPEG
The Winnipeg chapter is working with partner groups to organize a public forum on the city’s secret deal with a water corporation just prior to the election that would include a speaker from Indianapolis to share that city’s experiences with Veolia. Chapter activist Michael Welch recently wrote in The Uniter, “Whether the mayor is ultimately held to account on this critical public interest concern, however, will of course depend on the willingness of the electorate to continue the job Water Watch started.” More on that at http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=4813.
ALL-CANDIDATES DEBATES
On October 5, the Peterborough-Kawarthas chapter helped organize a well-attended social issues debate with the Peterborough Social Planning Council, Health Coalition, Canadian Mental Health Association and several independent citizens. More on that at http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2787910. An all-candidates meeting was also held on October 8 sponsored by the Council of Canadians, the Peel Poverty Action Group, Brampton Mississauga District Labour Council and CUPE Local 966. More on that at http://www.mississauga.com/blog/post/882365–everyone-welcome-at-all-candidates.
PUBLIC FORUM IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
On Monday October 18 at 7:30 pm, the Council of Canadians will be holding a public forum in Charlottetown on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and its impact on municipal governments. All municipal candidates have been invited to this event. Council of Canadians trade campaigner Stuart Trew will be the guest speaker at the forum that takes place at the Murphy Community Center, 200 Richmond Street, in Room 108. More at http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=4893.
